Health Perceptions, Self and Body Image, Physical Activity and Nutrition Among Undergraduate Students in Israel.
Health Perceptions, Self and Body Image, Physical Activity and Nutrition among Undergraduate Students in Israel.
PLoS One. 2013; 8(3): e58543
Korn L, Gonen E, Shaked Y, Golan M
This study examines health perceptions, self and body image, physical exercise and nutrition among undergraduate students.A structured, self-reported questionnaire was administered to more than 1500 students at a large academic institute in Israel. The study population was heterogenic in both gender and fields of academic study.High correlations between health perceptions, appropriate nutrition, and positive self and body image were found. The relationships between these variables differed between the subpopulation in the sample and the different genders. Engagement in physical exercise contributed to positive body image and positive health perceptions more than engagement in healthy nutrition. Nutrition students reported higher frequencies of positive health perceptions, positive self and body image and higher engagement in physical exercise in comparison to all other students in the sample.This study suggests, as have many before, that successful health promotion policy should reflect a collectivist rather than an individualist ethos by providing health prerequisites through a public policy of health-promotion, where the academic settings support a healthy lifestyle policy, by increasing availability of a healthy, nutritious and varied menu in the cafeterias, and offering students various activities that enhance healthy eating and exercise. IMPLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTION: This study examined health perceptions, self-image, physical exercise and nutrition among undergraduate students and found high correlations between these topics. Nutrition students reported higher frequencies of positive health perceptions, and positive self and body image and engaged more in physical exercise when compared with all other students in the sample. HubMed – eating
Bat predation by spiders.
PLoS One. 2013; 8(3): e58120
Nyffeler M, Knörnschild M
In this paper more than 50 incidences of bats being captured by spiders are reviewed. Bat-catching spiders have been reported from virtually every continent with the exception of Antarctica (?90% of the incidences occurring in the warmer areas of the globe between latitude 30° N and 30° S). Most reports refer to the Neotropics (42% of observed incidences), Asia (28.8%), and Australia-Papua New Guinea (13.5%). Bat-catching spiders belong to the mygalomorph family Theraphosidae and the araneomorph families Nephilidae, Araneidae, and Sparassidae. In addition to this, an attack attempt by a large araneomorph hunting spider of the family Pisauridae on an immature bat was witnessed. Eighty-eight percent of the reported incidences of bat catches were attributable to web-building spiders and 12% to hunting spiders. Large tropical orb-weavers of the genera Nephila and Eriophora in particular have been observed catching bats in their huge, strong orb-webs (of up to 1.5 m diameter). The majority of identifiable captured bats were small aerial insectivorous bats, belonging to the families Vespertilionidae (64%) and Emballonuridae (22%) and usually being among the most common bat species in their respective geographic area. While in some instances bats entangled in spider webs may have died of exhaustion, starvation, dehydration, and/or hyperthermia (i.e., non-predation death), there were numerous other instances where spiders were seen actively attacking, killing, and eating the captured bats (i.e., predation). This evidence suggests that spider predation on flying vertebrates is more widespread than previously assumed. HubMed – eating
Use of powered mobile arm supports by people with neuromuscular conditions.
J Rehabil Res Dev. 2013 Jan; 50(1): 61-70
Kumar A, Phillips MF
This study used a mixed-methods approach with questionnaires and semistructured interviews to explore the views and experiences of people with neuromuscular conditions who use powered mobile arm supports (PMASs). All 170 users of PMASs who had neuromuscular conditions and lived within 200 mi of the study center were contacted by post. Of the 22 who expressed an interest, 13, aged 13 to 69 yr, took part. Participants had been using the PMAS from 6 mo to 8 yr, and the majority had Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Interviews took place in participants’ homes or by telephone, and participants completed the ABILHAND and the Upper-Limb Functional Index and provided details regarding their diagnosis and experience with the PMAS. Themes that emerged were the positive influence of PMASs on psychological factors and social participation; increased range of and independence in several activities, including eating, drinking, and exercise; variations in funding and time taken for provision; participants’ initial reactions; timing of initial use; reasons for nonuse; and suggestions for future development. We concluded that, in this group, PMASs improved confidence, dignity, and the ability to engage in social situations, as well as increased independence in several activities. The majority of negative aspects of use would be amenable to change. HubMed – eating
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 25th Anniversary Video.mp4 – National Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2012 is the 25th anniversary! Check out this video about NEDAwareness Week and how you can make a difference…becau…